The night before an interview can have you feeling a bit nervous and stressed thinking of what’s to come. One way you can help yourself feel a bit more in control and calm is by getting organized and preparing ahead of time. Here’s a checklist of things to do the night before an interview.
Put Together Your Outfit and Pack
Try out different outfits for your interview and choose one that is professional and that makes you feel confident. Additionally, pack your bag and put aside anything you want to bring with you for the interview such as your resume, cover letter, pen and notepad, a snack, and water.
Map How to Get There
It’s helpful to map the directions ahead of time (i.e. Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, etc) so you have a general sense of where you’re going and how long it will take to get there. While you should leave home a bit early to give yourself a time buffer, having a general idea of how long it will take to get there will help you organize your time the following morning.
Do a Last-Minute Interview Prep
Ideally, you should have already researched the company thoroughly and practiced your answers to the most common interview questions, but it’s helpful to do a final run the night before as a refresher.
Go to Bed Early and Set Your Alarm
Try your best to get a good night’s rest the night before and make sure to set your alarm to ensure you wake up with plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed. If you’re having a hard time relaxing, it can be helpful to do a guided meditation or breathwork practice which you can easily find on YouTube.
Prepare a List of Questions to Ask
It can be helpful to bring with you a written list of questions you want to ask so that you can quickly review it before heading into your interview. Here’s a list of some good questions to ask.
Plan Your Breakfast
Having a healthy breakfast the morning of your interview can help calm your nerves, so plan out the night before what you’re planning on having for breakfast.
Write a Cheatsheet with Key Notes
When you’re nervous you’re more likely to forget things, so have a list of critical terms and facts you’ll want to remember during the interview such as the interviewer’s name or relevant company facts. Write out the list the night before and bring it with you the following day so you can quickly reference the list heading into the interview.